Mercury pendulum tubes

[wls1971 352]

I have a french four glass clock that has a mercury pendulum, I have noticed that the tubes where placed upside down I have placed them the right way up, how long does it take for the mercury to run to the bottom of the tubes because its not exactly free running stuff, I think it would be pointless trying to regulate the clock until it has is this correct ?

[oldhippy 1,615]

It should drop immediately. Are you sure its not the staining of the tube you are seeing.   

[wls1971 352]

No its stubbornly stuck at the top of the tubes although a few blobs have started running down the tubes 

[Tmuir 310]

Are you sure its a real mercury pendulum?

I've heard of cheaper clocks having fake mercury pendulums, could it be the pendulum was taken apart and put together incorrectly with the pretend mercury parts upside down?

The whole point of mercury is it is liquid and flows freely as Old Hippy says

[Tmuir 310]

Read this page. https://www.medfordclock.com/merc.htm

 

and here you can but the fake ones

http://www.m-p.co.uk/muk/parts/pendulums-french.htm

Edited June 18 by Tmuir

[oldhippy 1,615]

From what I see the clock is a genuine French Four Glass. Mercury can solidify only with extreme cold. Myself I have never come across these what I will call dummy type pendulums. It would probably be best to replace them. I don’t think here in the UK you can post mercury.

[wls1971 352]

1 hour ago, Tmuir said:

Are you sure its a real mercury pendulum?

I've heard of cheaper clocks having fake mercury pendulums, could it be the pendulum was taken apart and put together incorrectly with the pretend mercury parts upside down?

The whole point of mercury is it is liquid and flows freely as Old Hippy says

No I'm sure these are mercury its a very good quality french clock I dont think they are replacement mercury vials I may put them in some slightly warm water and see if that helps.

 

6 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

From what I see the clock is a genuine French Four Glass. Mercury can solidify only with extreme cold. Myself I have never come across these what I will call dummy type pendulums. It would probably be best to replace them. I don’t think here in the UK you can post mercury.

Thats the problem they only seem to be readily available in America and I think it would be illegal to try and import mercury via the postal service into England and they are also very expensive.

[vinn3 320]

2 hours ago, Tmuir said:

Read this page. https://www.medfordclock.com/merc.htm

 

and here you can but the fake ones

http://www.m-p.co.uk/muk/parts/pendulums-french.htm

  is not murc. poisonus ?    replace it with fake weight,  right side up.     vin

[Tmuir 310]

Try contacting these people

http://www.barometerspareparts.co.uk/index.php

The supply spare parts for mercury barometers and may be able to put you onto someone that can help.

You are correct you cant post mercury and definitely don't try to send it airmail.

[wls1971 352]

The warm water has worked, 3 days of waiting sorted in 30 seconds in warm water  should have thought of it earlier

[oldhippy 1,615]

That is good news. I have never heard of that trick.